The Shopping List: JULY

Ten things we love this month, featuring a sexy summer blouse, a sneaker collab that got our attention and an array of breastfeeding-friendly wedding options.

Hello, July: the only month in which one half of your algorithm is dominated by grim news and commiserations about the weather, and the other half is just tanned people on a four-week-long saunter around the Greek Islands. Strange times indeed!

The upshot of all this cognitive dissonance is that half our brain is living in the (very chilly) present, and the other half is fantasising about the warm, sexier, summerier days and nights to come. And there could be no clearer proof of this than this month’s Shopping List. Soph has mentally checked into her postpartum glow-up and is planning accordingly, and I’ve never been more motivated to beautify my surroundings in anticipation of a more social spring.

Enjoy our top picks for the month below.

And a reminder that today’s newsletter is free, but this month our paid subscribers have access exclusive discount codes at Pinky & Kamal, Elk the Label, Toorallie and BEST. You can become a free or paid subscriber (for $8 a month) below.

Sophie

WITH JEAN / Sasha Top — $229

My shopping list between this month and last month may as well have been written by different people. I am swiftly stepping out of nesting mode and into operation feel sexy, once again. This is ridiculous because I am yet to give birth.. ANY DAY NOW, 39 WEEKS 3 DAYS, WHO’S COUNTING*. And TBH I don’t know if i’ve even felt sexy in the two years since giving birth the first time but a girl can dream. I’ve already told myself I have to try far harder this postpartum to get out and about (eventually), have more martinis, etc.

All of this said, I am thinking of the warm weather pieces that will assist with these sexy feelings and this With Jean top got me straight away. I purchased a white cotton version from them last season that leant a little more house on the prairie than sexy Parisian and I lived in it. But i’m very keen on this more buttery-beige iteration, its much more flattering on my colouring than white. I always feel a little flat and boring in white interestingly — as my True Summer ‘colours’ would suggest! Hoping it comes with the above boob and nipple placement too, may need to invest in the Skims nipple bra 🥲

* The counting has officially wrapped — Soph has given birth to a beautiful baby boy!

Annie

BY ALONA / The Vessel Chain — $325.00

I purchased this immediately after spotting it on Natalie Chassay, who wore it as a necklace to her 40th birthday party lunch with a crisp red button down shirt. It was looped twice around her neck — so rather than hanging as one long pendant, it had a layered effect. It looked beautiful on her, but my urge to buy it was admittedly heightened because I’d just become the very happy owner of a new E Nolan shirt, and was pondering how to style it for an upcoming event.

I love the weight of the pendant and the chain, especially worn long and on bare skin — it is sort of sensual in a way that compliments a men’s style button down shirt, worn with one too many buttons undone. It also doubles as both a belt / waist chain accessory, and a fragrance holder. Come summer, I plan to fill it with this to accompany a late night supper of martinis and fries.

Sophie

SENSO / Harriet II — $249

My love for furry shoes lives on, as does my current obsession with green. I do believe I may have included a pair of furry shoes in 95% of my shopping lists since we started doing them. It would more so suit my upcoming lifestyle if these were flat but I kinda love the little kitten on them which is just as well as it’s about all the heel I can stomach right now. I also love the slightly higher rise on the ridge of the foot.

Annie

WITCHERY / Fringe Triangle Scarf — $129.00

It’s now scary cold in Melbourne, and the urge to wrap myself in layers upon layers of fuzzy, fluffy things has reached need-not-want status. This is lovely from Witchery — very Toteme / The Row energy — and the triangular cut means it can be draped around the shoulders like a shawl and tied at the chest (as per above), which is the more elegant way to wear a scarf. I love the tassels for a little nod to fringing.

Sophie

BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY WEDDING ATTIRE HOMEWORK

I’ve got a family wedding coming up in September and i’ve been thinking about dress alternatives that i’ll be able to feed / pump in - so I’m cheating and filing this running list under one banner.

ONTE / Paloma Silk Jacket — $340

Adore this piece and know i’ll wear it again and again. I’d also be able to wear a maternity bra underneath (though this just in, Mumma Milla now does a leakproof strapless bra!!!). I’m picturing with a sexy slinky maxi skirt. If I were cashed up i’d 100% be going to Courtney Zheng for the below. My heart ♥️

COURTNEY ZHENG / Eirene Silk Velvet Devore Skirt — $640

ALBUS LUMEN / Cape Top I — $510

I’ve been dreaming of Albus Lumen cape tops. I was in LOVE this one but it’s sold out and too expensive to justify with paid parental leave income, this is the actual one, but also…. let’s be real. The above is a top contender although it is v cropped. Too cropped perhaps?

VIKTORIA & WOODS / Romance Cape Top — $390

This gorg Viktoria and Woods number may be safer! Less risky and risqué. Though it does feel like it’s missing a little texture but i’m thinking I can make that up with accessories and a textured bottom half depending on what pants will fit me 6 weeks postpartum. I could pair with this? Very of the moment. But then i’m basically tallying the cost of a dress?

Stay tuned. I shall keep you all updated.

Annie

ASICS x Empty Behaviour / Hypersync sneakers — $200.00

It is so rare that I LOVE a sneaker but these? These, I do love. They’re part of a collaboration between Asics and Empty Behaviour — an experimental Shanghai-based footwear label that pushes the boundaries on what a sneaker can be (think: heels, boots, industrial references galore). I don’t think I’ve ever considered Asics as a sneaker brand I would buy or wear (I had them pegged as a running/performance brand, and I am sadly not a runner). So, from a strategic perspective, this partnership is a clever repositioning for Asics (and no doubt a great way for them to tap into the cultural and creative class in Shanghai, too). Now, to wait for this rainy, muddy spell to pass so I can wear them with a long black coat and a light grey cashmere sock.

Sophie

MANGO / Pendant Necklace — $45.95 (On Sale)

Channeling Laurel Pantin neck candy but on a Budget, with a capital B. Love this lapis Mango piece, but layered perhaps with some of the below?! Cute additions to a simple sweater look.

Etsy number

J Crew lipstick pendant

Also, Dinosaur Designs forever

Annie

CARELLI / Dolly Leopard Jacket — $728.00

This is such a fantasy jacket for me: the cuffs, the mandarin collar, the high three button closure and, of course, the leopard print — which is perfect.

The other day, Soph told me I was at risk of turning into a leopard, such is my current proclivity for all things leopard print. I took it as a challenge.

Sophie

E NOLAN / Oversized Check Shirt — $400

The perfect wool shirt, for a woman who is about to get her titties out regularly in winter. Sizes 4 to 24. No one makes a better more divine shirt than Emily Nolan.

Layer with trackies, with opaque tights (on their own perhaps, Edie styles, if you dare). Or over your long sleeve merino with baggy blue denim and above pendants.

Annie

ELKA COLLECTIVE / Evan Pant — $289.00

Spotted these in the window of Elka Collective’s Armadale store last weekend and I literally did a double take and backtracked on my steps to take a closer look. I love the muted brown colour and the way the pocket detail offers a subtle, chic nod to the cargo pant trend. It’s about all the ‘cargo pant’ I can handle, personally.

Sophie

DEERING / Fluff It Up Fur Collar — $225

I had to add a sixth item to the wishlist so I could include this piece!!! I am all about simple outfit makers at a point when I have no time or energy to make a bunch of effort. This + sweater and done.

See you next week!
Annie & Soph
xoxo